Dr. Mahla Zare is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship whose research explores the intersection of entrepreneurial growth, cognition, and market behavior. She holds dual doctorates in Agricultural Economics (University of Kentucky, 2020) and Entrepreneurship–Business Creation (University of Tehran, 2018), along with graduate training in economics and entrepreneurship.

Her research agenda advances knowledge in several interrelated domains. She examines entrepreneurial growth and measurement by developing and testing new frameworks that bridge subjective and objective metrics tailored to entrepreneurial firms. She investigates entrepreneurial cognition and leadership, with particular attention to the transition from founder to leader, perseverance, and decision-making under uncertainty. She also studies consumer behavior and market analysis, applying advanced quantitative methods such as conjoint choice experiments, structural equation modeling, panel data analysis, and latent class modeling to better understand consumer preferences in local food systems, agribusiness marketing, and sustainability. A further dimension of her work analyzes the role of policy and regulation in shaping entrepreneurial strategy, innovation, and regional economic development.

Her research has appeared in the Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing and the Journal of Food Distribution Research, alongside publications on entrepreneurial growth models, cognition, and SME development. She presents frequently at AAEA, SAEA, FDRS, and international entrepreneurship forums, where her work has earned multiple awards. She also contributes as a peer reviewer for academic journals and conferences.

Dr. Zare’s projects have been supported by competitive grants, including USDA-funded research on local food demand and institutional fellowships. She is also the author of Introduction to Agricultural Microeconomics (Kendall Hunt).

In addition to her research, Dr. Zare teaches entrepreneurship, innovation, and agribusiness at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and she draws on more than a decade of professional experience as a co-founder, sales and marketing director, and strategic advisor in entrepreneurial ventures.